“Children shouldn’t die from conditions like diarrhea, malaria and malnutrition. But tragically every day, 16,000 kids all over the world die from these kinds of treatable illnesses. That is simply unacceptable,” said Miles. “We have already made great progress, but there is more to do. With U.S. leadership, we can help lower these numbers to zero.”

The Reach Every Mother and Child Act is a bold, bipartisan policy initiative supported by more than 50 diverse non-profit and faith-based organizations, working to end preventable maternal, newborn and child mortality overseas. This crucial legislation will help achieve the U.S. commitment to ending these deaths within a generation. The House is expected to introduce a companion bill soon.

Taking lessons learned from other successful global health initiatives such as PEPFAR and the President’s Malaria Initiative, the Reach Act would enact key reforms that increase the effectiveness and impact of USAID maternal and child survival programs so that moms and kids around the world have access to simple, proven treatments for preventable diseases.

It would require a coordinated U.S. government strategy to address ending preventable child and maternal deaths; and establish rigorous reporting requirements to improve transparency, accountability, efficiency and oversight of maternal and child health programs. Further, the bill would ensure USAID focuses on increasing access to the highest impact, evidence-based interventions to maximize our return on investment.

Additionally, the bill would help USAID explore and implement innovative financing tools, such as pay-for-success contracting, to complement existing assistance and to help countries along the path to self-sustainability.

“This bill does not authorize new programs funded by the American taxpayer,” said Shriver. “It simply ensures our government and partners are being as effective as possible in saving the lives of mothers and children around the world. In this highly-charged and often partisan political atmosphere, this is an opportunity for Congress to demonstrate America’s moral leadership abroad.”

Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life. That’s why we’re building bipartisan will and voter support to make sure every child in the U.S. has access to high-quality early learning and that no mother or child around the globe dies from a preventable disease or illness. By investing in kids and holding leaders accountable, we are helping kids from birth to age five survive and thrive. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood — every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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